Page 65 of The Cruise

‘Surely not?’ Jane whispered.

Curtis, standing close by, spoke up. ‘This is the latest technology, and we are proud to be able to offer an aerial helicopter tour of our beautiful island.’ Sensing Jane’s hesitation, he assured her, ‘There is a climate-controlled cabin and spectacular visibility.’

‘Don’t be scared.’ Selwyn gently took Jane’s elbow. ‘You’ll love it.’

‘Let’s get you seated,’ Curtis said and nodded to the pilot sitting at the controls.

Jane looked up at the sky, where darkening clouds were drifting overhead. ‘We can’t go up in that lot. It looks like it’s about to pour down.’

‘The pilot will fly around the clouds, don’t worry,’ Curtis replied.

Moments later, Jane found herself strapped in and seated next to Selwyn. She prayed that her muddy legs didn’t mark the soft cream leather as headphones were placed over her ears. The rotor blade began to spin overhead, and Jane wanted to ask if the machine had a powerful engine – enough to take her weight? But the noise from the motor had built up, and seconds later they were rising. As the helicopter transitioned from vertical to forward, Jane’s stomach lurched, and she wished that she hadn’t eaten the roti.

Without thinking, she began to mutter her prayers.

‘Isn’t it wonderful?’ Selwyn said as they dipped low over the sea, taking in the sights in Nelson’s harbour. His eyes were wide, and he pointed to the piers in St John. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘you can see theDiamond Star.’

Jane opened one eye and peeped through the glass to stare at the aerial view of the cruise ships below. She heard the pilot’s commentary of the island’s highlights through her headphones, and slowly began to relax. To her surprise, she enjoyed gazing at the stunning beaches, sandy shorelines, and turquoise sea. How lucky she was to be doing this! If it wasn’t for Selwyn, she would never have known the wonder of flying through the sky like a soaring bird.

‘Enjoying yourself?’ Selwyn asked, his voice raised above the sound of the engine.

‘It’s wonderful!’

They flew over an area named Shirley Heights, a restored military lookout and gun battery. Swooping down the west coast, Jane held her breath as a gated community called Jolly Harbour came into view, and they flew over a marina, noting exclusive homes and waterside restaurants and bars. Cade’s Reef was dotted with boats on the southwestern coast, and Jane thought they looked like colourful balls bobbing about on the water. They ascended through the island’s lush interior, spotting historic sugar mills nestling near large plantation houses, the connecting roads like long grey arteries pulsing through the land.

‘We’re heading back to St John,’ the pilot spoke, ‘to the heliport by the cruise ship pier, to enable you to board theDiamond Starthere.’

Jane felt the engine’s thrust as the pilot manoeuvred the helicopter and wondered if her friends would watch them touching down. She smiled as she imagined Kath digging into her bag for her binoculars.

But as they got closer to St John, the sky rapidly darkened.

‘It’s as though the lights have been turned out,’ Jane called out to Selwyn and felt her stomach lurch again as rain thundered against the glass.

‘Sorry, folks, I thought we were ahead of this,’ the pilot said, his voice raised. ‘Hold on tight, we may be in for a bumpy landing.’

It happened very quickly. One moment Jane was having the time of her life, and the next, she was screaming with fear as a sudden gusting wind tossed the helicopter into the air.

‘Are we going to die?’ she yelled as rain battered down.

‘I’ve got you, Jane, don’t be scared.’

‘It’s not over till the fat lady sings…’ Jane was terrified.

‘Shush.’ Selwyn’s voice was calm as he snaked his arm around her shoulders and pulled Jane into his body. Despite the turbulent bouncing around, Jane allowed herself to be held. She turned her face to nestle in Selwyn’s shirt, smelling his spicy scent and feeling his warmth. His arms were solid and comforting.

‘Don’t worry ’bout a thing,’ Selwyn began to sing softly in her ear as they were buffeted through the air, ‘every little thing gonna be all right.’

And for Jane, suddenly everythingwasgoing to be all right. It was as though a golden halo had enveloped them and she knew that if she were to die at that moment, she’d die happy. Letting her body relax, and despite their safety harnesses, she snuggled into Selwyn and began to sing too.

As the pilot battled with the storm, altering course to fly up and around the swirling clouds, Jane tilted her face until her lips found Selwyn’s and closing her eyes, she kissed him. The kiss he returned spoke louder than the words of any song as he cupped her face with his free hand.

‘Oh, my darling, I’ve waited so long for this,’ he whispered and kissed her again.

Jane had only ever stolen meaningless kisses in the past with men who meant nothing. But now she knew that Selwyn’s kiss was the one she’d been waiting for all her life.

‘Looks like we’ve got the better of it!’

Jane and Selwyn pulled apart.

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